Recipe: Beans and Franks Tuscan Style (using Italian sausage)

BEANS AND FRANKS TUSCAN STYLE

"Beans and franks sounds hearty, even diet-breaking, doesn't it? Not when it's made with this Tuscan-style recipe, which calls for Italian turkey sausage, your choice of bean varieties, garlic and sage, and red wine, if you wish, for seasoning."

1 pound sweet or hot Italian turkey sausage links
1/4 cup water
1 small red bell pepper, sliced
1 small green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 to 2 tablespoon olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can red beans*
1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans*
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup dry red wine (optional)
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook sausage in covered skillet over medium heat with 1/4 cup water until sausage is cooked through, about 8 minutes; uncover and continue cooking until sausage is browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly; cut into 1/2-inch slices.

Cook bell peppers, onion and garlic in oil in covered large skillet over medium heat until vegetables are tender and soft, but not browned, about 10 minutes.

Combine sausage, peppers, and remaining ingredients in 2-quart casserole.

Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes; uncover and bake to desired thickness, about 1 hour.

*Although recipe mentions specific varieties, any canned or dry-packaged bean variety can be easily substituted for another. If desired, Replace canned beans with 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged beans, rinsed and drained.

Makes 6 servings (about 1 cup each)
Source: U. S. Dry Bean Council